Matilda (1996)
Somewhere inside all of us is the power to change the world
Starring: Mara Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman, Embeth Davidtz, Pam Ferris, Paul Reubens, Tracey Walter, Brian Levinson, Jean Speegle Howard, Sara Magdalin, R.D. Robb, Gregory R. Goliath, Fred Parnes, Kiami Davael, Leor Livneh Hackel
Director: Danny DeVito
Running Time: 98 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: PG
Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
On DVD There's not a shadow of doubt in my mind that Roald Dahl was responsible for producing some of the finest children's books ever written. His stories were dark yet extremely funny, knowing yet never patronising, and positively bursting with imagination. You've guessed it - I'm a bit of a fan. More importantly, Danny DeVito obviously is as well, otherwise how can you account for how perfectly he captures the Dahl spirit in this marvellous big screen adaptation of the classic 'Matilda'?
This isn't the cutesy, kiddy-winky matinee-filler it might at first appear. Though Mara Wilson undoubtedly scores a sky-high rating on the adorability index as the sparkly-eyed little girlie of the film's title, she's surrounded by the kind of characters you certainly won't see popping up in a 'Winnie the Pooh' flick any time soon.
Her school's headmistress, Agatha Trunchbull (Pam Ferris), is a giant, hog-like woman who throws children around by their hair and lives by the motto 'use the rod, beat the child'. Her father (DeVito) is a crooked car dealer who uses 'Super Super Glue' to attach faulty bumpers and is having his every move watched by the FBI. Even her mum (Rhea Perlman) would rather gossip on the telephone or watch the gogglebox than listen to her daughter.
It takes nicey-nicey teacher Miss Honey, a woman who loves the children in her class (and not in a creepy way) to finally take notice of Matilda's unique abilities. And, as it turns out, calling Matilda 'unique' is putting it mildly.
DeVito's marvellously macabre directorial style suits the tale right down to the ground, while the casting is spot-on. Ferris regularly steals the show as the grunting Trunchbull, DeVito himself is on top comic form as a bad dad, and the kids involved all play their part without fault.
DVD Extras: Nothing here.
It's Got: Dark, dark humour and some seriously dysfunctional characters. All in the name of good fun, of course.
It Needs: A better DVD package - an audio commentary from DeVito would go down a treat.
Alternatives: Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, The Witches
Summary: One of the best live action family flicks of recent years, 'Matilda' is remarkably consistent with Dahl's book and both kids and adults will love it. I know I do.
Review by Gary Panton
Review Date: 31st July 2003
External Links
Matilda at the IMDB
Comments34 Comments |
| I think this is the most funny, entertaining movie, and to anyone who has not seen it you must! God loves you all, and if you have faith like Matlida, you too can change the world in your own way |
| Comment by:- Emily | | 30 July 2004 | ip: logged |
| it waz crap |
| Comment by:- kirby | kirby | 11 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| I loved the movie and soo do all my friends and there childern~ i also love the song in the movie and am looking for a soundtrack~ does anyone know were I could find it? or specificly the song that has the lyrics 'I would like to reach out my hand.......' I believe its by Dave Matthews band but not sure. Any help would be appeciated~ thanks~ please respond with a comment on this page~ thank you~ |
| Comment by:- Shell | | 13 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| Shell, the song you're talking about is actually by the band Rusted Root and it's called "Send Me On My Way". Not sure whether it's possible to buy a Matilda soundtrack, but that specific song is on Rusted Root's album "When I Woke" and you should be able to get it on Amazon (or possibly even your local record store). Hope that helps!! |
| Comment by:- Gary | www.movie-gazette.com... | 14 August 2004 | ip: logged |
| That is an awesome song. Very good movie. |
| Comment by:- Nico | | 14 September 2004 | ip: logged |
| good website is there eny music in the film matilda |
| Comment by:- martin | www.excite.com | 24 September 2004 | ip: logged |
| yup..awesome song. thanks guys..been asking around for that song for years!! :p |
| Comment by:- niki | | 04 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| i watch Matilda since i was age of 13 or 14. i really like it too and funny too because i like the part when matilda was little and makin pancake and i like the way she flip it up and her face expression crackin me up. if u have any comment to talk to me about it just email me. girl_baller10_2001@yahoo.com |
| Comment by:- Mi'lan | members.blackplanet.com/mballe... | 08 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| Hey people, thanks for the song name...I was just talking with a friend about it. Much appreciated. That is movie is the bomb diggity! Lol. Shows how parents can look right past what we think sometimes cause they automatically think they know what is better. Well, whatever. Thanks again! |
| Comment by:- Ciera | | 15 October 2004 | ip: logged |
| I'm doing a power point presentation over Roald Dahl and need some background music. I was thinking something on the lines of the mucis in the back ground of the website "roalddahl.com". Does anyone know where (on the internet) I can find this music for free (but still legal) Thanks!!!! |
| Comment by:- Whitney | | 18 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| () IDK!!! () |
| Comment by:- blah | | 18 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| oh my gosh i cannot tell you how long i have been looking for that song then i just saw the movie on USA network and was remotivated to look for that song so i searched on google and found this site! thanks sooo much! |
| Comment by:- audra | | 20 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| who sings the last song played in Matilda, it has the words "On my way, on my way" |
| Comment by:- Sarah | | 21 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| The song is Send Me On My Way. It's to bad a soundtrack was not pu tout for this movie. If it helps, the song can be found on the "Ice Age" soundtrack. |
| Comment by:- derek | | 21 November 2004 | ip: logged |
| what is the song in the movie when she just finds out her powers and she has all the cards flying everywhere? |
| Comment by:- Betty | | 01 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| does anyone know who sings the song itty bitty pretty one from this movie? |
| Comment by:- allie | | 03 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| Hallo, wie heist der gute Laune Song in der Mitte des Films als sie Ihre Kräfte ausprobiert? Bitte helft mir weiter! |
| Comment by:- Florian | | 06 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| What is that one song from Matilda? When she is pouring the cereal? |
| Comment by:- Mitch | | 07 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| Does any one know the song they play where she's testing out her powers...? |
| Comment by:- Raquel | | 08 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| wow! been looking for the song for ages - thought it was by David Byrne, sure sounds like him, no wonder I couldn't find it |
| Comment by:- Jake | | 08 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| the song is called little bitty pretty one by the drifters... :) |
| Comment by:- akey | | 10 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| thank youu... :) |
| Comment by:- Raquel | | 15 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| Or there is a version by Bobby Darin |
| Comment by:- WillowDragon | | 16 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| And the "Send me on my way song" is by Rusted Root, incase u r still looking |
| Comment by:- WillowDragon | | 16 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| whats the one right at the end with the credits? im not sure if its played in the actual movie... |
| Comment by:- the 99th joker | | 27 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| wow, didn't know there was so much information flying around these days about this movie. really great with the songs and all!!Tops anyways I'm off. |
| Comment by:- Jordan | www.livejournal.com/~Slapenloo... | 27 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| hey there, Im desperately trying to find the song 'Itty Bitty Pretty One' that appears In Matilda, does anyone happen to know who its by so I could get hold of it? thanks : ) |
| Comment by:- Sooz | | 28 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| I am desperatly trying to find one specific song from this movie,its the song when shes really young and she cooks pancakes by herself. This particular song is also played in the movie Ice Age i can't find it anywhere! |
| Comment by:- Atty | | 29 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| best movie EVER! im watchin it rite now.. and i just came here to find out wut that 'send me on my way' song was.. haha oh wow great song! |
| Comment by:- Leah | wherewishes--fly.piczo.com... | 30 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| leah, i was looking for that song aswell and i found it, it by the Rusted Roots if u type min Rusted Roots on the internet u can find the words to the song. |
| Comment by:- atty | | 30 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| Little Bitty Pretty One was originally by Thurston Harris (the cerial & cards song) not sure if it is the same version though. |
| Comment by:- Brad | | 30 December 2004 | ip: logged |
| Bobby Darin - Little Bitty Pretty One & Rusted Root - Send Me On My Way are the right movie versions Download via KaZaA |
| Comment by:- Sletje 23 | | 03 January 2005 | ip: logged |
| thanx those songs are AWESOME! |
| Comment by:- liptonsice | | 09 February 2005 | ip: logged |
| Just checked the credits on the DVD - "Little Bitty Pretty One" is indeed performed by Thurston Harris (originally written by Robert Byrd). |
| Comment by:- icarus_rising | | 26 February 2005 | ip: logged |
